EC refuses to name software used to flag SIR errors, cites ‘trade secrets’ RTI exemption: Report

The Election Commission has refused to reveal the name and version of the software that it purportedly used to detect errors and anomalies in the electoral rolls during the special intensive revision, citing the exemption for information relating to “commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property” under the Right to Information Act, the Hindustan Times reported.

In response to a Right to Information application filed by activist MA Mujeeb Ayyub, the Election Commission on October 16 added that “no new software has been developed or procured for the special intensive revision”.

It said that electoral registration officers decide on the inclusion or exclusion of an elector “on the basis of facts and records”.

“The electoral registration officer of the concerned constituency is the statutory authority responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral roll of that constituency,” the Hindustan Times quoted the Election Commission as saying.

The response comes amid protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the functioning of the Election Commission and the alleged irregularities in how the voter roll is being revised.

In his application, Ayyub had also asked whether the software or artificial intelligence platform being used automatically flags voter records for verification, correction or deletion, and what safeguards are in place to prevent false positives and the wrongful flagging of...

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